Short takes Adare Manor Opportunity Series in style

Adam Short landed the Adare Manor Opportunity Series in style by making all in the Final aboard Prince Garyantle at Punchestown.

Short already held an unassailable lead in the year-long Series prior to this €30,000 Final and the Matthew Smith-trained 25/1 chance made light of a ten-month break.

The eight-year-old gelding, successful three times last year, continued on an upward curve here and, after English raider Man Of Plenty threw down a challenge after two out, galloped on strongly from before the last.

There was eight and a half lengths between the pair at the line, with Killaro Boy a further four and a half lengths away in third and Nobody Home in fourth.

A delighted Short said, “Matthew did a serious job with him as it was his first run for six months. He's an underrated trainer. He jumped great, and likes to be ridden from the front. He got a flier at the start and travelled well. Whenever I got left alone in front I was able to keep filling him. He was impressive enough.

“It's been a bit of an up and down season, we haven't got much of a run at it, but this is a nice way to finish it.”

Smith said, “I was a little bit worried that fitness might catch him out as it is six months since he ran. I’m delighted as they are a sound bunch of lads that own him.

“He was entered in a couple of races (here this week) but he wouldn’t have got into other races so I had this in mind. He’ll be on the go now for the summer. We said we’d see what happened today but the plan was to go chasing and he could run on the Flat as well.

“He won in Tramore and Kilbeggan last year before improving a lot to win by 23 lengths at Clonmel and he’s after improving again. He keeps surprising me.”

(GC & AM)